Washers & Dryers

Your washing machine may use up to 10 kilowatt hours per load, and your dryer can use as much as 5 kilowatt hours per load. This means that you could be using 15 kilowatt hours of electricity with every load of laundry.

Wash Full Loads

Over 70% of the cost of washing a load of clothes is in heating the water. With an electric water heater a load of clothes will use about 10 kilowatt hours. Set the water levels appropriately and make every effort to wash full loads.

Consider Energy-Efficient Models

If you're in the market for a new washing machine, consider purchasing a new horizontal-axis model. The new model uses 1/3 less water than a conventional top loading machine so you can save as much as 6,000 gallons of water per year as well as the costs associated with pumping and heating that water.

Don't Overwork Your Clothes

Most clothes need only a 10 to 15 minute wash cycle to get clean. Over drying will make them stiff, wrinkled and nearly impossible to iron and they'll wear out faster too. Wash and dry for only as long as necessary.

Dry Full Loads

A load dried for 30 minutes can use up to 5 kilowatt hours. Since you're going to use that much electricity, you might as well dry a full load.

Use Cold Water As Often As Possible

Washing in cold water will get most clothes just as clean. Besides, they'll fade less and have fewer wrinkles. You might even save on ironing. Save washing in warm water for whites or hard to clean items. At least consider rinsing in cold water.

Get The Lint Out

Clean your dryer's lint screen after every use. Besides keeping your clothes looking good, a lint-free dryer works much more efficiently.

Do It For Free

Use the sun to dry your clothes. It's free, and the only energy it requires is your own energy to hang them on the line.

Check Your Hose and Faucet Connections

Check for hose cracks and leaky faucet connections. Both can cause you to lose hot water every time you wash a load of clothes.